2001 Pontiac Aztek Logo
shawna geister Posted on Dec 22, 2013
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Heater blows out cold air, constantly adding coolant, blower motor just quit working

Cannot find a leak of coolant. Sometimes after adding coolant the car would drive fine for a day, and the rest of the times it would still have the same problem right after filling it. The heater will just automatically start blowing cold air, and then the temp gauge will go to hot, and then the warm air would blow again and the temp gauge would drop. Add more fluid and good again for the next trip. or part of it anyway. Then all the sudden the blower just quit. I had to drive home in an ice storm with no heat, but the odd thing again is that when the blower quit working the temp gauge did not go up. it stayed at a medium level temp. Any and all Ideas are Welcome. And Thank you all in advance. P.s ANYONE WANT TO BUY THIS CAR LET ME KNOW

2 Answers

Jerome Minks

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  • Pontiac Master 3,103 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 22, 2013
Jerome Minks
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It sounds like your thermostat is stuck shut..and the antifreeze is getting blown out during operating as you drive it..when replacing this thermostat I have a trick for you to do with it..since the thermostat is basically a mechanical open/close valve..sometimes it screws up and sticks shut..this causes the antifreeze to overheat in the head and blow out of the top tank/hose area on the car(there is an overflow hose there)on the radiator..now when you go to install the new thermostat.. try drilling 2 small holes at a 90* to the bridge over the actual spring-loaded valve.. these go into the wide flange that surrounds the sides of the thermostat, as close to the center as you can go without going thru the center.. these will be called weepholes..IF there are any hairline cracks in the head(s) these weepholes will allow the air to go thru without dropping the antifreeze levels in the heads..the pressure will bleed off out of the radiator cap.. and your heater will still stay warm..

montehammons

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  • Pontiac Master 5,531 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 23, 2013
montehammons
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No thanks, don't like mystery cars.
How much coolant does it lose? If you are certain no external leaks, then the engine may be eating it. Have you checked the oil for intrusion of coolant? The dipstick will have a milky brown color. If no coolant in oil or oil in coolant, rent a block tester (autozone, Oreilleys, etc.) or have a shop do the test. Pretty simple test for evidence of exhaust gasses in the coolant-fumes from the radiator are drawn into a container with special fluid that changes color in the presence of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons in the coolant is a leaking head gasket. Exhaust is being pumped into the coolant through the leak. That might explain the fluctuating temperature, too.
If you have a rear heater, it may have a separate heater core with coolant lines running to it. Another place to check for external leaks. Sometimes external leaks are hard to find, cause traveling may blow the coolant off before you can see it. Good luck.

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2 Related Answers

squeely

  • 454 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 29, 2010

SOURCE: Car Heater Not Working - Blowing Cold Air

also check to see if tube that runs your climate door is not pinched or broken. the vaccum tube that runs the climate door is behind and under the battery. i had same problem a year ago and the tube was partially cut. i fixed it by cuttinga piece of aquarium tubing and spliced it back together. one other thing.....check to see if your radiator over flow cap is tight. your cap maybe bad and or cracked this would also cause the problem.

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duane_wong

Duane Wong

  • 6826 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 19, 2010

SOURCE: 2006 grand prix heater only blows cold air. both

Sounds like the temperature blend door actuator may be bad or the vacuum hose to it is disconnected.

Poor Heater System Performance CAUTION
Check all fluid levels and adjust as needed, before operating vehicle for extended periods at idle.

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Idle the engine until the thermostat opens (upper radiator hose will be hot) Is the engine at normal operating temperature (approx. 200° F)? If yes, go to the next step. If no, go to step 16.
  3. Set the mode selector to FLOOR mode.
  4. Set the heater control selector to the warmest temperature setting.
  5. Set the blower speed the lowest setting.
  6. Carefully feel the inlet and outlet heater hoses at the heater core. Is the inlet heater hose significantly hotter than the outlet heater hose? If yes, go to step 14. If no, go to the next step.
  7. Set the mode selector to PANEL mode.
  8. Select the maximum blower speed.
  9. Select the warmest temperature setting.
  10. Place a thermometer into the center I/P PANEL air outlet and affix a second thermometer to the heater core outlet heater hose.
  11. Record the temperature at the center I/P PANEL air outlet and at the heater core outlet heater hose. Are the two temperature readings about equal? If yes, go to the next step. If no, go to step 13.
  12. Inspect and repair the cowl, cowl area, recirculation door, and the HVAC evaporator/heater core case for cold air leaks. Repair any problems found, go to step 17.
  13. Inspect the temperature door operation. Repair any problems found, go to step 17.
  14. Turn OFF the engine. Back-flush the heater core. Start the engine. Select the FLOOR mode and the lowest blower speed. Select the warmest temperature setting. Feel the temperature of the inlet and outlet heater hoses at the heater core. Is the inlet heater hose feel significantly hotter than the outlet heater hose? If yes, go to the next step. If no, go to step 17.
  15. Replace the heater core. When the repair is completed, go to step 17.
  16. Check for low engine temperature problems, Repair or replace as needed, go to step 17.
  17. Operate the system in order to verify the repair. If the system operates properly, the repair is complete. If the heater still does not work properly, repeat the entire procedure.

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